And it’s not. At least not now. Lots of artists hate those events, since the ugly truth is this: Kids are Hard to Draw! They all look alike to a point — big head, big eyes, small nose, small chin, no beards … You know? And most of them will not sit still, won’t look at you, maybe are tired and screaming if you’re lucky.

So lots of quick sketch artists dread these parties. And I understand that.

But back to my story.

It’s not a problem now because it’s been so many years for me sketching like this. I have drawn more than 140,000 people by my estimation over almost thirty years. The good part is, it gets easier, at least for me. I love it more all the time, and it was FUN the first time! What a job.

So this morning I zoomed over to a daycare center not too far away and drew maybe thirty children and several teachers. I used a layout that I thought up some years ago and only recently put into practice. I have attached one here.

It works the name into the art, as you can see. Fun for everybody and still pretty quick. Maybe four minutes, depending on the action shown (and the complexity of the hair).

By comparison, my grownup drawings — face and collar only — are usually done in less than two minutes with what I hear is an amazing level of resemblance. In time past it was hard to get that kind of review drawing children. Now I hear fabulous comments with every drawing, which is really nice — and deeply appreciated, of course.

And I encouraged the staff at the center to make copies of the drawings. Keep some for themselves and post them at the center, and give copies to the children — to color. I hope they watch the originals; little kids love to color on that good paper.

These days I enjoy drawing children as much as grownups. Although goofy looking men (like me!) are still the most fun subjects of all. After all, I have to make the kids cute, the ladies (of any age) attractive. Guys are fair game. More on that in a future blog.

Enjoy this early summer weather!!